Vintage Mototcar LTD , Scottsdale, Az. I bought a shiny red car and that’s Biggest mistake..Part One

And I thought the "arrest-me red" was what got you into trouble!

The passenger mirror is more for symetry than actual use.  You can modify the head mount to let it swivel more (there is a write up here on doing it).  You can also buy a replacement convex mirror head that helps greatly.

https://sierramadrecollection....-356B-T5-p18327.html

Looks like the bumper trim piece shrunk or was cut too short - then shrunk. Try stretching what's on there by putting in sun and pulling it 6" longer and replace it - it probably will shrink back though. Rear bumper rubber is $21 and easy to replace. 

https://sierramadrecollection....356-356A-p17906.html

Not sure where leaks are from on external oil cooler.  Cheapest way to install is barb fittings and black rubber hose.  You could tighten hose clamps.  Many are happy with it and it can be installed not to leak.  Maybe the barb fitting just need to be removed and reinstalled with teflon tape. The elegant way to install is new rubber hose with stainless steel protective braiding and AN end fittings.  The stainless steel braiding protects from chafing, ballooning and deterioration.  Easy to spend a couple hundred replacing though. NLA but lists parts - https://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/1736.htm.  I'd also ensure you have a thermostatic valve (to control oil flow when hot vs cold) and fan on cooler.

An antique tractor is pretty close to an old VW! 

Sounds like you have had other issues.  Some expect too much from a custom car built to a price point. They have to be sorted out  i.e. tinklered with.  That's why you see so many low mileage Speedster for sale at a loss to owner - expectations were not met.  For $33k you could have gotten a top end 2019 Maxda MX-5 Miata - 181 hp, AC, GPS, 17' alloy wheels, UHP tires, leather, 6 speed - 3 year B to B warranty and 5y/60k mile powettain warranty.  One is production car --- other is built (quickly) by hand.

Hope you issues don't cause you to back away from Speedster.  Jump in and address issues - It's maybe $300 to fix those things.

Your mirrors sure are in a strange place.  Usually they are mounted on doors or just forward of the windshield.

Did you request that the mirrors be placed in those locations on your car or did you leave it to the discretion of the builder?

Was there more coming?

JPC:

With all due respect, I can only speak for myself, but I'm not interested in a "mini series", as you put it. 

Spit it out, and maybe you will get some help. 

It sounds like you are either more interested in slamming Vintage as some kind of revenge tactic or you are trying to get the folks on this site to join you in a torch and pitchfork parade to Phoenix.

Fix for for the mirrors: move them.

I'm pretty sure the mirror problem he is complaining about is not the typical problem that has been discussed previously on the SOC or the location of his mirrors.  In the old problem there was a fix of grinding a little material from the mirror mount on the passenger side mirror that would allow it to be adjusted inward.

The new problem is with the mirrors being supplied by Vintage Speedsters Parts (not associated with either of the Vintage Speedster builders) and possibly other sources.  These are the mirrors that have a white plastic ring on the outside edge of the mirror housing (not the plastic ring inside, between the glass and the metal).

The issue is that the nipple part on the back of the mirror does not protrude far enough to allow the mirror to be adjusted at all.  In other words, when the mirror screw is snugged up, the the entire nipple is pulled inside the mount and the mount rests directly on the flat back side of the mirror.

I first saw this problem on Danny's (from Nipomo) car.  Here are some pictures that should show the problem.

Initially I thought the mirrors were in a standard mounting place i.e. door (which doesn't give great view for driver) or just a little ahead of the windshield.  Then I looked at his avatar which shows the mirrors mounted low and over each front wheel.  The passenger side is probably not even visible to a normal height driver.  I guess you could try new old style ones there or move mirrors and past a Pegasus over the existing holes.

I’ll be very blunt: I’m a bit confused and perhaps a little skeptical over this post. I’ve read a number of posts from @JPC about how wonderful Justin was to work with, and how he goes “the extra mile”.  

Then immediately the car was for sale with 550 miles on the odometer, with the listing saying “perfect car” or something to that extent. 

I’m an advocate of “there are two sides to every story”. 

That said, I’ll look past JPC’s past posts and keep an open ear as to the issues. 

I looked at photos of the car when it was fresh against the photos you attached hours ago in reference to the bumper molding.  It appears everything was fine upon delivery. Which means either it shrank (2” seems to be a lot of shrinkage) or it’s been scuffed from the looks of the marks on the bumper. 

Again. All ears. Willing to listen here. 

I guess a lot has happened since December when you posted "Great service and attention after bought my Red Speedster from VINTAGE MOTORCAR, SCOTTSDALE,AZ."  Sorry to hear things when south so quickly. 

So, the car was put up for sale with 550 miles on it. Did you cite problems getting in and out of it as the reason you wanted to sell? Reading between the lines as apparently there was a CL post that stated that was the problem. But the car was perfect. Correct me if I'm wrong, please.

Now the car has 2200 miles on it, and evidently you didn't sell it and somebody, maybe you, put 1700 additional miles on it. So in the last 1700 miles you noticed a problem with the mirrors, etc.

If you problem is with the mirror and not the mount.  I have  a "Made in Germany", older style, not convex, though.  mirror only. Pay the freight and it's yours.

 I suspect, the "Made in Germany"  imprint is false.

Art

JPC...Sorry to hear about your problems. Why don't you just lay it all out here and let us try to walk you thru it all with constructive advice. It's not if we can but we can. There are tons of expertise available here and not only the nuts and bolts parts either. Legal and moral as well as honesty. If these are what you're looking for, you've come to the right place. You have a really nice car and I love the color you selected. This should be the time for fun and enjoyment of driving it. I hope you give us a return response..........Bruce

I remember I bought a motorcycle, I was really dreaming of one and it was my only transportation mode.    Soon, the real life experience set in and when I had trouble with the engine the bike went and I never replaced it.  

I learned that for me a motorcycle would never be anything more then a joy ride machine.  

Now for @Safety Jim Buffalo NY. it is a life style machine that gets driven for thousands of miles on road trips... 

Now my roadster is another story, and my wife thinks that I was tooooooooooo long suffering with the car.  It would have been gone soon after delivery.  

Actually, I don't think it would have made it home  

I wonder if that is causing all the rest of the issues to be magnified.  Just saying. 

I have been hanging with the Speedster/Spyder gang for going on 9 years now. One thing I have never understood is why 3 or more companies creating cars or parts insist on calling themselves “VINTAGE”. On top of that, there’s the Taiwan group VINTAGE SPEED selling an assorted number of performance parts. That’s what really grinds my beans. From here on out, each of these companies should go by Vintage 1 Company, Vintage 2 Company or Vintage 3 Company...or just a completely different name all together! There, I feel cleansed now.

I guess Phoney Porsche Motorwerks  doesn't have the same ring to it as Vintage, Rich.

i don't wish problems on anyone... especially ones that cause health issues or financial hardship... but if someone is willing to share their story and call it a mini-series.... well... **grabs popcorn**

Panhandle Bob posted:

I guess Phoney Porsche Motorwerks  doesn't have the same ring to it as Vintage, Rich.

There are, alas, not a lot of cool sounding synonyms for "Vintage".

"Classic", "prime", "rare", "venerable", "archetypal", "quintessential", etc. lack that certain je ne sais quoi.

If it were me, I'd call my company Clown Car Motorwerks... but I'm with Rich. Somebody (or rather, at least one car making somebody and two parts making somebodies) need a new name.

We have a restaurant and wine store down here that just changed the spelling of their name to Vintaj.

Maybe that would help.

Well, at least one of them is in SoCal, so maybe “Vintage” en Español - “Vendemia”

Teutonic Roots 

Perhaps "jahrgang", which is "vintage" in German. In the case of Vintage Speed, perhaps we should just call it 复古的速度, which the all-knowing Google tells me is the translation into Mandarin.

But really, nobody's changing their name. We're just killing time until the next riveting installment in "As the Wheel Turns", with our host "JPC".

Oh this is getting entertaining by the minute! I'm making popcorn. 

It occurs to me that, until I read this post, I had never actually heard someone trampling out the Vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.

I always like "Olde" and "Antiqu" or even "No FeO2" 

It's "As the stomach turns".

BTW does the J in JPC stand for Jeorge? Jus wondering....

@JPC Sorry to hear about your issues with your car. I hope you'll be able to get it all sorted out enough to enjoy the car.

JPC, you were complaining about your mirrors, but in your other comment where you show your hood handle, your passenger mirror isn't on your car.  Did you remove it, or was it installed later?

Panhandle Bob posted:

We have a restaurant and wine store down here that just changed the spelling of their name to Vintaj.

Maybe that would help.

Sounds Indian. If you think you've got problems now...

@JPC

I just read your post in Jonathan Freeman's post about his Speedster birthday gift to his wife and it reminded me about what you had recently posted this thread.

This is what you said in Jonathan's post.

"I bought mine from VMC Scottsdale AZ. NEW Owner , MATT T. has been very cooperative
I dID not like my retro radio at all , it was a waste of money.
Very high tacky but could not hear it on the road at all CLEARLY.
It sounds great in the show room but that’s all
He took it out and gave me my $800 back."

You said this was going to be a "mini series" about "unbelievable issues"and specifically mentioned that Matt had no VW experience.  Now you say that Matt has been very cooperative.  What happened to the rest of your story or was it just your radio?  Have all of your issues been remedied?

Those problems listed are hardly serious or fatal. I had to rebuild my Mexicrate engine at 7500 miles. I however purchases my car at the bottom of the market in 2010 and was expecting a bit of sorting. This reeks of buyers remorse. You will find lots of buyers in the mid to low $20’s. 

The guy can't say enough good things as it's being built and when he first gets it, screams when everything isn't perfect but shows us that the builder is more than willing to bend over backwards to keep him happy- is it just me or does it seem like the op just likes a little drama?

After 15 months since VMC AZ  STARTED MY CAR, next week will be the test. The new owner , MATT T has been very cooperative since he knows how important SOC IS. 

Social media has good and bad aspects.

I put in the comfortable seats with head rests and four point seat belts. This is a daily driver in Sun City West, AZ.  I was also happy to get rid of my roof which I never use and it’s just bulky and very cheaply made. Which you cannot compare it to the Mazda Miata rough that I love.

Am I allowed to come to SOC outings with such  non replica car🤔

"The new owner". I just heard this from someone else too.  It's a significant turn of events if it's true. 

I Never knew it was so hard to put together a speedster. But after 15 months I think I’m almost there. Next week I’ll find out for sure. Maybe it’s the hot weather in Arizona.

The previous owner didn’t use air-conditioning much so we can you can imagine.

I have to love the one I’m with.Even though it doesn’t look like all your other speedsters that are true replicas.  I’m more concerned with somebody crashing in my rear end since I drive it a lot. These seats were a challenge to put in correctly and it is a tight fit ,but my 6 foot son can get in but you can not slide in like most of you people that have folding chairs seats can.

I love the four point seatbelts , especially when they hug my chest.

Is it just me or does anyone else have a problem with the way the website has been put together at the Arizona vintage Motorcar? Here is an excerpt form their website:

With over 30 years of Automobile related and manufacturing experience, we are uniquely equipped with the knowledge and tools to produce a great car and driving experience. We are also the #1 builder of Speedsters in the world with over 3,000 cars sold world wide.

Most, if not all, of the wording was taken straight from Kirk's website and in my opinion it is a complete lie and fabrication. He hasn't sold 50 cars and has barely 5 months experience building Speedsters.

Here's another:

Vintage Speedsters are currently assembled in Long Beach, California, and have been since we started back in 1988.

Another lie since he pretty much fired everyone and took the business to Arizona.

And another:

Vintage Motorcar is the world's largest manufacturer of the timeless Speedster.
Speedsters are available fully assembled with wide or classic body styles. 

As of July 2013, Vintage Motorcar has hand built over 3,000 Speedsters. We produce more cars in one week than some manufacturers do in a year.

That is not true either; Kirk was the "World's Largest" manufacturer of the Speedster and that title doesn't transfer to the new owner. This guy has been in business since December 2018 and again, has not built anywhere near 3,000 Speedsters. If he had kept the business in Hawaiian Gardens and still employed all of Kirk's guys then maybe this would have a hint of truth to it. Maybe I should contact Arizona's Attorney general and see if I can sue for false and/or misleading advertising.

This whole thing borders on incoherent.

JPC posted:

I Never knew it was so hard to put together a speedster. But after 15 months I think I’m almost there. Next week I’ll find out for sure. Maybe it’s the hot weather in Arizona.

The previous owner didn’t use air-conditioning much so we can you can imagine.

I have to love the one I’m with.Even though it doesn’t look like all your other speedsters that are true replicas.  I’m more concerned with somebody crashing in my rear end since I drive it a lot. These seats were a challenge to put in correctly and it is a tight fit ,but my 6 foot son can get in but you can not slide in like most of you people that have folding chairs seats can.

I love the four point seatbelts , especially when they hug my chest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous owner???? I thought you commissioned this car to be built by Justin at Vintage Motorcar (without an S on the end which I think is the stupidest thing ever since it just sounds like he is trying to be Greg Leach at Vintage Motorcars.

I think I just took a left turn into the Twilight Zone . . .